Starter mechanism lock



06f. 20, 1931. Q NOLAN ET AL 1,828,575

STARTER MECHANISM LOCK Filed Dec. 5, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1 Q 0 a $5 5 o INvENToRe U M q ATTORNEY Oct. 20, 1931. c. NOLAN ET AL 1,828,575

STARTER MECHANI SM LOCK Filed Dec. 3, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheer 2 fllaualalvvlewz Patented Oct. 20, 1931 PATENT OFFICE i UNITED STATES CLAUDE NOLAN AND WILLIAM, J. BAY, OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA STARTER MECHANISM LOCK Application and December a, 1928. serial are. 828,529.

,This invention relates to new and usefuloil system of the automobile was involved,

1 the oil pressure, when'theengine was runnlng, serving to operate a locking means which prevented operationof the starter.-

This was, however, found to be very uncertain, and ineffective, for the reason that, when the weather was cold, the oil became very thick and sluggish, with the result that after having only too quickl built up sulficient pressure to render the ock effective, it was found that the oil was too thick to permit so the required quick release of the lock, and

therefore prevented the desired repeated attempts to start the engine. \Vhen, however, the oil was thin, the system drained too quickly to permit the proper rapid building up of pressure to permit the proper operation of the lock. From the above experience, the present applicant promptly discarded the use of oil, and substituted the present device.

' Another object is to provide a novel and so eflicient means for preventing operation of the starting motor, while the engine is running, such means being controlled by the vacuum from the intake manifold.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which is readily applicable to diiferent kinds of automobiles, without the necessity of modifications to the various parts thereof.

A further object is to provide a locking means for the operating part of the starter mechanism whereby all danger of injury or breakage to such parts will be effectively prevented.

Other objects-and advantages will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a starter mechanism, showing the invention, only such parts of an automobile being shown as are directly connected therewith.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view therethrough.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view showmg the cam and lock.

Figure 5 is a plan view showing the application of the invention to another form of starting mechanism.

Figure 6 is a sectional view through the form of starter shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a plan view of another form of the device.

Figure 8 is a vertical the line 88 of Figure 7.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawings, and especially to Figures 1 to 4, 10 represents a portion of an engine of an automobile, and 11 the intake manifold thereof, in connection with which the present invention is especially adapted for use. Secured to the engine block is a plate 12, having the transversely alined bearings 13, on one end, in which is rotatably su ported the shaft 14. On one end of the sha t is secured the vertically extending pedal lever 15, while an arm 16 is secured on the other end of the shaft, the former being adapted for the use of the foot of the operator, while the latter serves to operate a switch (not shown) which sectional view on controls the current which operates the starting motor (not shown). The before-mentioned bearings 13 are spaced apart, as

shown, and keyed on the shaft 14, between said bearings, is a forked cam member 17, to which more particular reference Wlll be made later herein. Formed on the other end of the plate 12, and extending longitudinally thereof, is a cylinder 18, within which moves the piston 19, the other end of the stem 20 of which is slidably disposed through an opening 21 in an end of the cylinder. Loosely secured on the projecting en of the stem 20 is a head 22, which is ada ted to move into and out of the path of the forementioned cam 17. The other endof the cylinder is closed by a cap 23, and secured within the cap is a nipple, to which is seevented from further rotation, with the result piston and the said cap, whereby to normally I and resiliently maintain the' piston at the other end of t cylinder. Q

It will be understood that, when the engine is at rest, there is no vacuum action in theintake manifold 11, therefore the piston 19 is urged by the spring 25, to the other end of the'cylinder 18, thereby permitting the rocking of the shaft, by means of the pedal 15, so that the forked end of the cam 17 will straddle the stem of the piston, and said cam move down into contact with the plate 12, and also permitting the arm 16 to perform its function of closing the'electric circuit to the starter motor, as is" well understood. When the engine is running, the vacuum created in the manifold 11 will draw the piston 19 forward, against the action of the spring 25, thereby moving the head 22 into a position where the forked end of the cam 17 will engage on the upper face thereof, and be prethat the operator cannot move the pedal lever- 15 far enough to permit the arm 16 to act upon the circuit closer of the starter switch. As long as the engine is running, the vacuum created in the manifold will act upon the piston to. hold the same in such position that the shaft 14 cannot be rocked. When the engine is stopped, the vacuum ceases to act upon the piston, when the head 22 is withdrawn, by the action of the spring 25, out of the path of the cam, thus permitting the pedal to be moved, and the forked end of the cam to straddle the stem of the piston, and the starting 0 eration be properly-performed.

Re erring particularly to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown an adaptaton of the device to another form of starter device. In this device thereis shown the ordinary spring urged starter button 26, said button being operable within and through ahousing 27, within which is arranged the usual switch. On this housing is mounted a plate 29, which supports a cylinder 30, within which moves a piston (not shown), having the stem 32 movable through an. end thereof, said cylinder having its other end connected with an intake manifold (not shown), by means of the conduit 33. To the outer end of-the stem 32'is connected a transversely extending arm 34 which is'arranged to be moved into and out of the path of the button 26, for the purpose of preventing operation of the button while the engine is-in motion. The housing also carries a stop member 35, against which the arm 34 is adapted to engage, in its outer-' most position, when released from the path of the button.

In Figures 7 and 8 there is shown a further form of the device, for adaptation to another type of starter mechanism. In this form of thedevice there is provided a base plate 36, on which is mounted the cylinder 37, in which is disposed a spring pressed piston (not shown), said iston having the end of the stem 39 provi ed with a plate 40 movable in I plate, at the sides of said smaller part of the opening thereby preventing downward movement of the stem, and the operation of the starting motor.

In the cap carrying end of each of the cylinders there is disposed a centrally apertured washer 46, against which the piston tightly engages. As it moves toward said end of the cylinder, whereby to cause the same to properly expand within the cap, so that all danger of loss of vacuum is prevented.

From the foregoing it will readily be seen that, when the engine is at rest, the detent, or stop member, will be out of the path of the operating element of the starter mechanism, with the result that the starting motor can be readily operated. However, after the engine is in motion, and vacuum created in the intake manifold, the piston will be drawn to place the stop member directly in the path of the operating element, with the result that the operation of the starting motor is ren 'dered impossible, and all danger of injury to the motor or fly-wheel gears obviated.

What is claimed is: 1. In a locking device for the starting mechanism of an automobile, a rock shaft, meansfor rocking the shaft, a switch operating arm on the shaft, a forked arm on the shaft, and a block operable by the suction of an automobile engine into position to be 'enaged by the furcations of said arm and therey prevent rocking of the shaft, and means for operating said block into a position out of the path of said furcations, to permit rocking of the shaft. v

2. In a locking device for the starting mechanism of an automobile, a 'rock shaft, means for rocking the shaft, a switch oper; ating arm on the shaft, a forked arm on the shaft, a vacuum cylinder 0 eratively connected with the vacuum pro ucing means of an engine, and a piston in the cylinder having a stem provided with a terminal block movable into position to be engaged by the furcations of the arm, at times, to prevent rotation of the shaft and operation of the switch, and into position to permit the furcations to straddle said stem, at times, whereby to permit the shaft to be rocked.

3. In a locking device for the starting mechanism of an automobile, .a rock shaft, means for rocking the shaft, an arm on the shaft for rocking movement therewith, a movable stop means adapted for engagement by said arm, at times, means for urging said stop means normally into a position out of the path of said arm, whereby to permit rocking of said shaft in one direction and u to be engaged and held by said arm against movement out of said position, when the shaft is thus rocked, and means for moving said stop means into the path of said arm, when the shaft is rocked in the other direction. whereby to prevent subsequent rocking of said shaft in the first-named direction.

4. In a locking device for the starting mechanism of the engine of an automobile, a rock shaft, means for rocking the shaft, an

rection under vacuum influence, said shaft when rocked in said opposite direction releasing said stop, where y said stop will be moved into the path of said arm to resent another of its faces for engagement t ereb to revent subsequent rocking of the sha in t e first-named direction.

7 The combination with a rock shaft having a radial arcuate arm movable in an arcuate path, of a stop, resilient means urging the stop in one direction whereby to lie out of the arcuate path of said arm but to be engaged and held by said arm, upon rocking said shaft in one direction, and vacuum means for moving said stop in the opposite direction to lie in said arcuate ath of the arm, upon rocking of said shaft 1n the opposite direction, whereby to revent subsequent rocking of said shaft in e first-named direction.

In testimony whereof, we afiix, our signatures.

CLAUDE NOLAN. WILLIAM J. RAY.

arcuate arm on the shaft, a movable stop means, means normally holding said stop means in a position adjacent the shaft and out of the path of said arm, whereby to permit rocking of the shaft in one direction and to position said arm in the path of said stop means. and means operable by the engine of the automobile for moving said stop means into the path of said arm, upon rocking the shaft in the other direction. whereby to prevent subsequent rocking of the shaft in the first direction while the engine is running.

5. In a locking device for the starting mechanism of an automobile, a rock shaft, means for rocking the shaft in one direction,

an arcuate arm on the shaft. a movable stop member, resilient means normally urging said stop member into a position between said shaft and the path of said arm. to permit rocking of the shaft in one direction and the movement of said arm into the path of said stop member, whereby to engage and hold said stop member from movement in the opposite direction, said stop member being operable in the opposite direction by the suction of theengine of an automobile into the path of said arm. upon rocking said shaft -in said opposite direction. wherebv to prevent subsequent rocking of the shaft in the first-named direction after having been rocked into normal position.

6. The combination with arock shaft having a radial arcuate arm. of a stop. resilient means for urging said stop in one direction, vacuum means for operating the stop in the opposite direction, said stop when in resiliently urged position permitting rocking of the shaft in one direction and the engagement of one of its faces by said arm to hold the stop from movement in the opposite di- I 

